Fishing reel



March 13, 1928.

. 1,662,347 c. E. STOCKING FISHING REEL Filed Dec .19, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet March 13, 1928.

c. E. STOCKING FISHING REEL 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1.924

Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

CARL E. STOCKING, OF PRINCETON, KENTUCKY.

FISHING REEL.

Application filed December 19, 1924. Serial in. 756,957;

This invention relates to improvements in fishing reels.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a combination fishing reel which is particularly desirable for use under various conditions of fishing, being relatively simple in construction, and compact and ellicient in operation, so that the same may be used for fly fishing; bait castingjand still fishing, as desired.

A further and important object of this invention is the provision or a combination fishing reel adapted for use for various kinds of fishing, and embodying means to permit the spool thereof to wind and unwind on a supporting spindle, to make the same p actical for bait casting; furthermore including motion transmitting means which will be operated to store power when the spool is being unwound, and which may be operated to automatically wind the line on the spool; and furthermore including improved trip means to automatically wind the line on the spool when the line is jerked.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accon'ipanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view taken through the improved reellongitudinally of the axis thereof".

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the improved reel.

Figure 3 is a side elevation oi" theimproved reel atthe side thereof opposite to the side illustrated in Figure 2.

Figures 4: and 5 are cross sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines of Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 6 is an enlarged. sectional view taken through a novel type of pawl operating device carried by the housing of the reel.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a ':ont elevation, showing the o ierating handle for a brake mechanism in section, this view being taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 9.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view or the details substantially as is illustrated. in Figure 7, with said details in a di -6mm perating position.

Figures 10 and 11 are cross sectional "views taken substantially on their respective llnes in Figure '1 of the drawings.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the means of connecting the ree-l spring to the reel.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred en1- bodiment or this invent-ion, the letter A may generally designate the improved i'eehwhich mayinclude a spool B; rod attaching stationary frame C; and motor or motion transmitting mechanism D operatively connected with the spool B and frame C.-

The frame or stationary portion C is of disc formation, and has the elongated rod attaching strip riveted as at 21, thereto, tangential with the periphery thereo't'. At one side of the disc or frame C a shallow pocket :22 is provided within which a flange -53 of the spool B r-otatably slides, and at the other side of thedisc or frame C a deeper pocket 25 is provided within which the hollow cylindrical flange 26 of themotor housing 27 of the motiontransmitting means slidably iits. Ccntrally, the frame discis provided with an opening 29, through which the hollow spindle extends, said spindle at the pocketed side 22 of the disc orframe C having an attaching flange 31 which is rivetcd at 32 to said frame. This spindle provides a reduced spindle portion 35 at the spool side of said frame C and at the opposite side of the frame provides the hollow extensionSti, which will be more specifically described in connection Withthe mounting of the motor or motion nism D.

The spool B is preferably of approved metal, comprising the hub portion 38 pro? transmitting mechavided with a passageway therein which rebrake mechanism .5 cooperates, as is illustrated in Figure 5 of the driuvings, and as will be subsequently described. The web 40, as can be seen from Figure lot the drawings, lies in a plane between the flanges E222 and 42, and at its outer side the spool is provided with a pocltet -lt, adapted to receive certain ceutril'ugally operated pawl clutch mechanism at) for connecting the spool with the motion transmitting mechanism l), as will be subsequently described. An end of the spindle 3:3 is screw threaded, and extends outwardly of the hub 36, to receive a nut 47, by means ol which the spool B is rotatably supported against accidental displacement from the spindle. This not t7 bears lightly against the end edge of the hub 38, as is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The motor 1) preferably includes thehousing QT above mentioned, and the hollow c vliudriral fiance 26 thereof is titted in the pocket of the frame (iii-c it as above mentioned. in this housinc :27 a wall at! is pro vided. which divides the same into a compartment facing the spool 3. wherein a spiral expansion spring 51 is provided. and an outside compartment 513. \\'l ercin certain important parts of the motion transmitting mechanism or motor 1.) are placed. The spiral expansion spring 51 is spiralled about the spindle end 30 which extends axially through the spring COlIllJttliIllQllt and the inner end of this spiral expansion spring .51 is connected with the hollow spindle portion 36 by means of a rivet or pin The outer end of the said spiral spring is connected, as is illustrated in Figure t of the drawings, with the housing flange 26, by means. oi a frictionally held expansion band The motor housing I) centrally thereof is provided with an opening within which a supporting sleeve 55 is provided. which rotatably bears on the portion 353 of the spindle 30 above mentioned. This sleeve 55 is rivcted or otherwise rigidly secured with the wall .50 of the housing 2?. A plate 58 is keyed to a square portion 55) of the spindle end 236, as is illustrated n Figures .1, and ll of the drawings. and this plate. is relalivel shallow and rests in a bottom depression (it) of the wall 5t) ol' the housing 27. This pl te 58 at its central portion is held against movement on the spindle portion llti b v means of a nut (53 which is threaded on the outer screw threaded end of the spindle portion 30.

The motor structure D includesa shaft 65. which rotatably bears in the passageway 66 ot the spindle member 3 and this shaft (55 at. the motor end thereof. provided with a relativel small gear (36. arranged in the compartu'ient 53. outwardly of the nut (13. it its other end the shaft 65 extends into the pocket lb' of the spool ll above mentioned, and therein is provided with a reduced Squared end (37, which is adapted to support portions of a clutch or pawl connecting mechanism. as will be subsequently described, An internally toothed ring gear Tl) is provided in the compartment 53 of the housing 27, which rests within an intermediate depressed portion 71 ot the pocket .52; and is secured therein as by means of a pair of screws T13, as is illustrated in Figures T and 9 of the drawings. This ring gear is thus connected in lixed relation with the housing 27, and the inner portion thereof bears against the outer marginal portion of the plate 58, and holds the plate I18 securely in the pocltet depres ion (3Habovementioned. The plate .58 is provided with a gear supporting pin 7;), which extends at right angles to the said plate into the com mrtiuent and is provided with a gear structure which includes a small gear 77 in llll'Slllllgj relation with the internal teeth of the near 70. and provides a large gear TU integral with the small gear T7. adapted to interme:-h with the teeth of the shalt gear 6t From the foregoing description of the structure it is readily apparent that the spring 51 is provided as power means to rotate the housing 27 with respect tothe frame C. Such rotation ol the housinc J? in the frame C, through the chain of gears TU, 77, T9 and 06. will cause a rapid rotation of the shaft (55, in a very much increased ratio with respect to the rotation of the housing 27, and the shaft (35 is adapted to be keyed by the clutch or pawl mechanism St) to thcspool 13. for rotation (at the latter.

Referring to the clutching or pa w] mcchanism 80, the same contemplates the provision of a disc 85, provided with a central square opening adapted to receive the reduced square portion (37 ot" the shaft. 5 therethrough. At the outer lace ol the disc of). the same is provided with a circular shaped projection 86, provided with a ;'l'oove diametrically theretlu'tm ih. which is adapt d to receive a pin 87 by means ol' which the plate 85 is l :e vcd to the shalt. (3.); said pin WI extending through a transverse pa:-,.-a ;t".vajv provided in the squared end (31' ot tlashalt. (37 and as is lllllr-ld'tll'till in l igrurcs l and ll) of the drawings. At diametrically oppos d points on the pawl supporting: plate or dire hi3 a pair oi pivoted pawls f ll are provided. which are pivoted intermediate their ends. so that one end of each of the pawls i-. ol greater weight than the other: the club: of less weight being tapered to a point. and adapted for abutment iiust the edge in" the raised portion 86 as the shalt (35 is Mr tated to throw the pawls )ttl\\'.'lt'tll at their weighted ends incident to the ccntrituaal action.

The spool B is provided with a plate or closure 92. which may be attached over the pocket 16 by means of screws 9;}. as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. This plate or closure 92 is prelerablv provided with a laterally extending handle 9. and it is additionally provided wit: a finger up loo Ill!

lili/ gaging knob or member 95, which operates within a radial slot 96 provided in the dos ure 92. This knob at the inner end thereof supports a pin 98 which projects through the slot 96, and within the pocket 46 supports an abutment 98, which is pivoted by a pin 99 at one end to the closure 92, and as is illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawings. The pin 98, of course, engagesthe abutment 98 adjacent its free moving end, and upon sliding of the knob or finger member 95 on the closure 92, this free end of the abutment 98 may be moved into the path of travel of the pawls 90, or it may be moved into a. recess 100 out of the path of rotation of the centrifugally thrown pawls 90. The engagement of the abutment 98 at one side of the closure, and the member 95 at the opposite side of the closure, permits the knob or member 95 to move only when a considerable force is applied to theknob to slide the same along the slot 96. This insures that there will be no accidental movementv of the abutment 98 when the same has been set into the path of the pawls 90, or out of the path of movement of the same. The full line position illustrated in Figure 10 shows the abut ment 98 in the position to be engaged by the weighted pawls 90, and the dotted position illustrates the said abutment 98 when it is out of engaging relation to the centrifugally operated pawls 90.

Referring to the brake mechanism 45, as is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, the same is provided for the purpose of controlling rotation of the spool B with respect to the frame C, responsive to expansive action of the spring 51.- It includes a lever 103, which is pivoted at its inner end to the frame disc G by means of a screw or pin 104.

The frame or disc C is provided with a recess therein, to accommodate and to limit the amplitude of movement of the finger engaging lever 103, and a detachable piece 106 is preferably carried by the frame of disc C, adjacent the periphery thereof, cxtending across the recess 105. The outer projecting end of the handle 103 thus extends transversely through the periphery of the frame disc, and in convenient position to be operated by the fingers of a fisherman. This lever 103 adjacent its inner pivoted end carries a brake extension 107, having a brake pad 108 of any suitable material, which is adapted to operate over the annular brake surface 44 of the spool B. A spring 108 is connected at one end to the lever and brake extension 107, and at its other end is held flexed by means of a pin 109 which is secured to the frame C, and which spring normally urges the brake pad 108 into engagement with the surface 44, whereby to prevent retation of the spool B with respect to the frame C. Of course, upon operation of the handle 103, to the position illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 5 of the drawings, the brake pad is disengaged from the surface 44, and the motor may then operate to rotate the spool B for the purpose of wind ing a line thereon. A catch 110 is preferably provided at the periphery of the frame (I, being pivoted thereto, and adapted to be moved to engage the handle 103, as is illustrated in Figures 3 and 1.0, and thus to hold the brake pad out of engaging and braking relation with respect to the spool B.

Trip means 111 is provided for maintaining the motor D inoperative, with the spiral spring til-under considerable expansive force stored up in the same, and this trip mechanism 111 is chiefly desirable to accomplish this result for certain kinds of fishing, such as still fishing, and. as will besubsequently described. It includes a supporting memher 111, pivoted at 112 onto the supporting plate 58 of the mechanism D, and fixed with the supporting member 111 is a pawl 113,

having a J-shaped head'114, which is adapted to mesh with the teeth of the large gear 79, as will be subsequently described. A

spring 115 is provided, connected with the pawl 113, and normally engaging a pin 116 to hold the same flexed, whereby the same will force the supporting member 111 into engagen'ient with a stop pin117, in order that the pawl 114 is norn'ially held out of engaging and meshing relationwvith the teeth of the saidgear 79. Manually operated means 118 is provided for setting the catch mechanism 110, and this means com templates the provision of a linger engz-iging knob or member 119, slidably connected in a slot 120, provided in the closure 121, which seals the compartn' ent in the housing 27. This slot 12-0 is radially disposed with respect to the axis of the reel, illlflillUlIllOlil 119 is connected by a washer 121 so that it can slide longitudinally of the slot 1.20. A plunger 123 is slidably carried axially by the knob 119, having an end 124, which is lt U normallymaintained inwardlyof said knob 119, by means of a spring 125 which acts on the plunger 123 to force the same outwardly of the knob 119, where the same can be engaged by the finger of an operator. This plunger 123 maybe forced inwardly of the closure 121, into the con'iparti'nent 53, di

rectly into the path of the pawl113, and

ings. lVhen the pawl 113 thus engages the gear 79, the spring 51 cannot operate further to rotate the spool B, and the spool B is thus prevented from rotating in line windingrelation. The closure 121 is connected to the housing27 and detachably held thereon by means of set screws'128.

Referring to the operation of the improved reel for fly fishing, the reel when so used is attached to the rod in the position illustrated in Figure 2, with the reel lowermost, and with the brake lever 103 in position rearwardlv ot the hand which grasps the rod. that said brake lerer may he erated by the little linger of the persons hand. lVhen lly fishing the hrake is used, and the catch 110 remains inoperative. The clutch or pawl mechanism 80 is used, and to this end the kuoh {)5 pushed toward the center of the spool, so that the abutment 98 in position to he engaged by the weighted ends of the pawls 90. The spring 51 is wound by rotating the housing 27, and through the connection of the spring with this housing the spring is wound, hut the same cannot rotate the spool l) incident to the application of the brake 4-5. The spring is not wound Yer tight for ti lishing', so that upon pulling off the line from the rod to cast further out the winding of the spring is continued, since the spool is directly connected to the motor through the intermediary of the pawl mechanism so. To wind the line upon the spool it is merely necessary to press the brake lever 103. which will release the spool B from connection with the stationary frame C, and the line will he wound upon the spool. This action may he used when hooking the fish, and hy releasing the brake the spring is constantly applied to permit the fish to play the line outward and the spring will reel the line in when the lish approaches the rod.

For hail? casting. the reel is ordinarily placed in front of the hand, at the top of the rod handle, and the knob 95') is moved to the outer end of its slot 96. so that the abutment 98 is moved out of the path of travel of the weighted ends of the centrifugally operated pawls 90. he spool is thus tree. to turn on the spindle in either direction, and the brake lever 103 is released and locked in released position by means of the catch member 110, as is illustrated in Figures L and 3. so that the brake has no eticct on the spool and said spool is sensitively mounted for rotation in either direction on. the spindle. witl a minimum of triction action as necessary for hait casting.

\Yhen still. fishin the reel is placed on the rod as for hait casting. and the rod is ordinarily set on the bank ot a stream. The hait and hook is east to the desired spot, and the hrake applied on the spool. The spool is now locked to the frame C. and the housing 27 is rotated to wind the spring to the proper tension. and until the arrow 120". illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, aligns at a point hctween the arrows 121 and 122". as is illustrated in said Figure 8. The spring now being tensioned. and the spool held against ro tation by the brake mechanism 4:55, the fisherman with his linger presses the plunger 1'23 inwardly of the knoh 119, and at the same time slides the knob 119 towards the axis of the reel. This permits the knob to move along the slot 1:20, and the end 124: of the plunger of course extends into the compare meat 53 of the motor housing, and will more the pawl 1M into the position illustrated in lfiigure 9 of the drawings, so that the hook end 114 thereof is in meshing relation hetween the teeth of the gear 79. Thus holding the knoh in this position, the hrake lever 103 is released until the slack is taken out of the mechanism by expansive force of the spring. and the force of the spring locks the gear 79 against the pawl 113. The hrake 45 is then locked into an inoperative position hy means of the catch 110, so that the spool is tree to rotate on its spindle extension 35. The pawl knob 95 is of course moved inwardly to ards th axis of the reel. so that; the abutment 98 is in engaging relation with respect to the pawls 90. The spool is now tree to rotate on its spindle 35. in line winding relation, hut when said spool is reversed as to rotation, for unwinding line therefrom the weighted ends of the pawls 90 will swing into engaging relation at the end of the ahut ment 98. The reel as thus set for still fishing is arranged at the hank of the stream or body of water. in any preferred manner. and when the fish tugs at the line to unwind the same from the reel. the pawls S engaging the ahutmcnt 93 will lock the shaft. (3.7 to the spool. and the shaft thus rotating will rotate the large gear 7.) to permit the spring 115 to act and release the pawl 113. so that the main motor spring 51 may' exert its expansive force for rotating the spool. The line is quickly wound on the spool. and the. fish caught on the hook. All of these movements are of course automatic.

The expansion memher 54: is formed of a piece of powerful spring metal. sullicientto permit the same to he annularly placed in contracted position in engagement at the inner periphery of the housing flange 26: the force under which the same is thus held in engagement with the housing flange heing consideral'ile. although the hand is not clamped to the flange and may slide circumtercntiallr about the housing flange 26 upon the application of a considerahle for At one end the hand til is prov ded with a reduced projection 54. adapted to he detachahlv received in an aperture 5-1" at the, outer end of the spiral expansion spring 51. This means of securing the outer end of the spiral spring to the housing is preh-rred, in lieu to a positive connection, in ord r to prevent hreaking of the reel part or line when a fish which is caught takes a hard run and completely winds the spring. If the spring were connected with the housing flange 26 with a fixed connection, the line would break,

lltl

but in lieu of this, with the frictional securing expansion band 54, when the spring 51 is entirely wound the spool will still be permitted to rotate incident to the slipping of the same about the band or clamping member 54. This prevents breaking of the line and losing the fish.

From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that a novel type of fishing reel has been provided, which is of general application for different kinds of fishing. Thedifferent parts of the reel may be made of any approved material, and the parts may vary as to materials, for fresh water and salt water fishing.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a combination reel a stationary frame, a spool rotatable with respect to the said stationary frame, a spring motor ineluding a housing rotatable with respect to the frame, gear means connecting the motor housing for rotation of the spool at an increased speed ratio with respect to rotation of the motor housing, pawl means for selective connection and disconnection of the spool with respect to said motor means, brake means for selective connection and disconnection of the spool with respect to said stationary frame, and trip means cooperat ing with the gear means adapted to be manually set in engagement therewith to hold the motor spring inoperative until themotor spring tension is momentarily relieved.

2. In a fishing reel the combination of a stationary rod attaching frame, a shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a line re ceiving spool coaxial with the shaft and revolubly carried by said frame, centrifugally operated pawls carried by the shaft adjacent the spool, a dog pivotally mounted on the spool, and means carried by the spool to hold the free end of the dog into or out of the path of travel of the centrifugally operated pawls in order to connector disconnect the spool with respect to said shaft, said means being operable exteriorly of the spool of said reel.

3. In a fishing reel the combination of a.

stationary rod attaching frame, a shaft ro tatable in the frame, a motor for rotating said shaft, a line receiving spool rotatable on the shaft with respect thereto and with respect to the frame, said spool having an I internal drum surface, clutch mechanism for selectively imparting movement of said shaft to said spool,'a brake lever pivotally supported by the frame, a brake shoe on the brake lever for operation against the internal drum surface of the spool, and a spring acting on said brake lever to force the brake shoe thereof against the inner brake drum surface of the spool.

4. In a fishing reel the combination of a stationary frame, a shaft rotatably carried by said frame having its ends projecting at opposite sides of the frame, a spool revoluble about said shaft at one side of the frame, means for imparting movement of said shaft to said spool, a housing rotatably mounted at the opposite side of said frame from the spool, a spring connected to the frame and housing normally tending to rotate the housing when it is wound, an internal toothed ring-shaped gear carried by the housing at the outer side thereof, a stub shaft to one side of said shaft and rigid with said frame, coaxial connected small and large gears rotatable on said stub shaft, the small gear being in meshing relation with said ring gear, and a small gear keyed on the shaft in meshing relation with the large gear of the stub shaft, for imparting movement of the housing to the spool.

5. In a combination reel, a stationary frame, a spool rotatable with respect to said frame, a spring motor including a housing rotatable with respect to the frame, gear means connecting the motor housing for rotation of the spool at an increased speed ratio with respect to rotation of the motor housin g, pawl means for selective connection and disconnection of the spool with respect to said motor means, brake means carried by said frame normally tending to arrest movement of said spool with respect to said frame, a catch member for locking said brake means in an inoperative relation with respect to said spool, and trip means cooperating with the gear means adapted to be manually set in engagement therewith to hold the motor spring inoperative until the motor spring tension is momentarily released.

CARL E. STOCKING. 

